Australia is gearing up to enforce stringent visa regulations for international students and migrant workers as part of a comprehensive overhaul of its immigration system. Under the new guidelines, foreign students will be required to achieve higher scores on English proficiency exams such as TOEFL and IELTS.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the government's migration strategy has garnered support from both business entities and labor unions. "Our plan enjoys widespread endorsement from businesses and unions alike. It is geared towards fostering improved employment opportunities and establishing a more equitable system for everyone. This is beneficial for workers and enterprises, contributing to the prosperity and sustainability of Australia," the PM stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Albanese further elaborated, stating, "This initiative will afford workers enhanced safeguards concerning wages and working conditions. For businesses, our focus is on directing skilled migration to sectors facing genuine shortages. This will enable employers to access the skilled workforce necessary for fostering business growth," as conveyed in the PM's tweet.
The decision to revise the visa policy comes in response to an anticipated peak in net immigration, projected to surpass 510,000 individuals in 2022-23. "Our strategy aims to normalize migration figures. However, this is not solely about statistics. It's about Australia's enduring prospects," cited Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil in reports.

Minister O'Neil highlighted that the substantial surge in net overseas migration during 2022-23 was primarily attributed to the influx of international students. The sudden influx of foreign workers and students has exerted immense pressure on the rental market, leading to an escalation in homelessness across the country. A survey conducted by the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper revealed that over 62 percent of Australian voters deemed the country's migration intake as excessively high.

The government is contemplating the introduction of new specialized visas targeting highly skilled workers. These visas aim to assist companies in recruiting top-tier talent from around the globe, especially in the face of fierce competition from other developed economies.

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